What Is Covered In A Commercial Building Inspection?

Buying, leasing, or maintaining a commercial building is not an easy task. It involves a lot of work and you have to check many boxes. The commercial building inspection is vital during the buying or leasing phase. A property inspection will identify hidden issues, which saves you from unexpected expenses while confirming that the building is in excellent condition. 

A commercial building inspection assesses specific components that make up the entire building’s structure. But how can you be sure that all essential areas have been comprehensively covered in the inspection?

In this blog, we’ll shed light on what entails a commercial building inspection, its importance, and the use of a commercial building inspection checklist to make everything foolproof and effective. 

What is Included In A Commercial Building Inspection?

The scope of assessment in commercial building inspections comprises various elements.

Understanding the inspection scope helps you make wise decisions while safeguarding against possible dangers. Let’s discuss what’s included in a commercial building inspection.

Structural Integrity

The building foundation, together with its structural elements, constitutes one of the most important areas that inspectors must carefully examine. An expert must examine the foundation, walls, roof, and floors as part of the inspection. They look for structural issues that include major deformations, water-stained areas, and noticeable uneven surfaces. Compromised structures might require extensive repairs, which can be time-consuming, expensive, and even dangerous. Thus, it is important to ensure structural integrity before buying or leasing a property.

Roof And Exterior

Roof inspections should never be neglected because their condition is crucial to the building’s overall integrity and stability. They need to be nearly flawless. Roof Inspections reveal various roofing issues, such as leaks, broken shingles, and compromised framework. 

Inspection personnel will also examine the building’s exterior components, including windows, doors, and siding. This examination aids in detecting weathering damage and weak structural points that might result in higher maintenance costs and lower energy efficiency.

Electrical Systems

A dependable and secure electric system is crucial for commercial buildings. The inspectors will assess the electrical system by examining electrical wiring, circuit breakers, panel components, and outlet measurements for regulatory compliance. An electrical failure often needs costly maintenance and is a fire risk. According to experts, electrical system failures are the major source of commercial building fires.

Plumbing Systems

A properly functioning and foolproof plumbing system is essential for all commercial properties. The inspector examines pipes, water heaters, and drains to identify potential leakage issues, system failures, and blockages. Plumbing system inspection must be comprehensive because issues are not always obvious. Plumbing problems are expensive to fix and may require large-scale replacement of outdated or corroded pipes.

HVAC Systems

Every building requires reliable Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems (HVAC) as its core comfort infrastructure. The inspection will verify that heating, cooling, and ventilation systems operate efficiently. The high quality of HVAC systems determines energy efficiency and comfort inside the building. Routine inspections help increase the operational duration of HVAC systems.

Fire Safety And Emergency Systems

The evaluation of fire alarms, sprinklers, and emergency exits takes priority during safety inspections. A building needs functional fire safety systems for its occupants’ safety and compliance with laws. Regular checks on emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and exit signs help ensure the building maintains compliance with fire regulations.

Interior Spaces

Internal spaces need to be inspected to check their structural and mechanical components. The inspection checks the state of walls, ceilings, floors, and all exterior surfaces for deterioration or signs of pest infestation. It must also validate accessibility features and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to guarantee access for everyone.

Why Do You Need A Commercial Building Inspection?

It is crucial to grasp the importance of commercial building inspections. A commercial building serves business purposes but is much more than that. It is a significant investment that can yield huge profits when sold. It also requires considerable operational costs. All parties connected to commercial buildings must have absolute knowledge of their state regardless of whether they are buying, leasing, or managing them.

Thorough examinations uncover hidden problems that may otherwise need expensive repairs. The inspection process reveals essential information about what investors can expect in their new commercial property so they can make better and more informed decisions. Research reveals that skipping inspections leads commercial property buyers to encounter unanticipated repair expenses of thousands of dollars even during their first year.

How To Use A Commercial Building Inspection Checklist

A commercial building inspection checklist is a valuable tool to ensure that the inspection covers all essential areas. Both the property owner and the inspector can benefit from this checklist because it serves as a directory for their assessment work.

During the inspection, identify these main points by following this easy checklist:

• Review the roof condition to identify leaks, damaged shingles, and improper flashing.
• The main panel, wiring, and outlets need examination under electrical safety checks.
• The plumbing system should be evaluated through water pressure testing and pipe leak inspection.
• Examine HVAC operation to guarantee systemic efficiency and noise.
• Testing of fire alarms, extinguishers, and emergency exits.
• Examining siding, windows, and doors.

The checklist prevents you from using only memory or the inspector’s judgment to assess the property. It establishes an organized approach for surveying every crucial element.

Conclusion

If you own one or more commercial properties, commercial building inspections help keep them safe and discover concealed issues. With a commercial building inspection checklist, you can ensure that the inspection covers all areas, from the structure to the electrical systems and beyond. Through such inspections, you can prevent future high-cost maintenance expenses while enjoying a secure property.

Elite Commercial Inspections recognizes how essential complete commercial inspections are for our clients. Our team offers detailed examinations, investigating all components of your commercial space. Contact us now for a comprehensive and dependable examination that will give you the crucial information you need to make sound decisions about your property.

Contact Elite Commercial Inspections to book your inspection service before unexpected problems arise.